Cancun

[Cancun Guy]

I am an American and have lived in Cancun for 6 years. What you just wrote about people getting killed and guns in cars is complete irresponsible BS. I have driven through the entire country, as well as lived here full time, and all misinformed reports like yours do is keep people away that would have otherwise had a goood time. The crime rate here is much lower than any major American city.

[Pluto2]

i almost forgot.

i had lunch with a native spanish speaker, us citizen, last week.

he loves cancun and rents a car there to go to the outlying beaches and attractions.

with his wife and three kids in the car, the cancun pd pulled him over on the main drag and informed him that he was driving grossly in excess of the speed limit and that he could surrender his tags and us license or pay a $100 dollar fine.

he only spoke english to them so that he could listen to what they were saying. he told them that he had no cash, they could take the car which he would report stolen at the rental agency but they could not have his documents.

he listened to them discussing the gringo that was not easy to squeeze for a few minutes then interrupted them in spanish to say i was born in "country x" and i really have to get the kids home. they apologized and sent him on his way, as he departed he heard one say to the other lets find a gringo.

[Pluto2]

My suggestion is that you search the internet for stories of people driving through Mexico. Also check AAA and read the state department’s web site.

It is dangerous for Mexicans, and my relative who used to do this as a long-haul-trucker (native Spanish speaker), always kept a loaded 45 on the dash and an M1 carbine on the floor of the truck and left them in plain view for the Mexican authorities who would specifically ask if he had any weapons, to which he would respond "no".

It was so dangerous; they would not take his guns out of common decency. Maybe an extra $20 as a courtesy, but still common decency.

The way the robbery scheme works is someone lays on the road in front of your vehicle, and you have the option of running them over or stopping. If you are lucky you will only having your vehicle and all possessions taken from you. If you are unlucky, a bullet in the head on the side of the road so that you can not identify the thieves. The one time they tried this with my relative he was doing 90 mph and accelerating in an 18 wheeler, when asked he told me he didn't look back.

I'm not up to date, but I'm guessing that an ordinary murder for hire in Mexico is about $500 there days for a nobody like you or me. What is your car worth?

Usually, if you are asked for a bribe at the first check point, if you pay it, the other check points will be informed to leave you alone as you have already paid. Someone I knew also thought that this kept the robbers away as they frequently worked with the police, or was it the same people? The police also offered the courtesy of calling ahead and arranging for him to stay with his car in walled hotels or compounds and night.

My information is a little out of date, since the police controlled the crime in Mexico 20+ years ago, this was before the narco-trafficers (same thing as the military) took control of much of the country.

All of the senior government officials in Mexico have to live in walled fortified compounds so that they and their families are not kidnapped or assonated. The President of Mexico's travel coordinator who worked in his office was an employee of the narco-trafficers, the US tipped off the President.

[Sociopata]

I'll be there in 3 weeks, and I'll let all you guys know how things are going down there.

[Dodger Bulldog]

No word since Wilma hit. Anything going on their? Is the city recovering? Open at all?

Info will be greatly appreciated!

DB

[FightingChicken]

Having read the board, Cancun and Playa seem to be very expensive for P2P, Plaza 21 for example is worth a look as has nice views but way too expensive. So going south towards Belize, is there any where worth going too. Anyone been to Chetumal for instance.

[Rockhunter]

Hi,
Any all-inclusive clubs in the Cancun area that might offer some action?

[Nibu Raphael]

Fotoguy I too am looking for info On Merida. In The Old Archives that does not exist Anymore Jackson had all the info on Merida. If Anyone can update us on the scene in Merida. Go for it. It Is a Cheaper scene too. Has anyone gone there lately?

Can anyone give any information about Merida? What is the city like and is it as big a tourist trap and expensive as Cancun?

[Gumbeaux]

Being old, fat and bald seems to have produced stupid also (according to my friends)

The question is:

What advice does the group have if an very limited spanish speaker wanted to drive from the US to Cancun (or more specifically Playa del Carmen)

Routes, times etc appreciated.

I know about insurance, paperwork etc. I dive off into bordertowns relatively frequently (Acuna, Juarez)

Thanks in advance

[Onexxxva]

I was in Cancun this past weekend, the only action I saw is from a strip club called The One, which was located down a small alley near dady o's, lap dances are $40, but fs is 200 American!

I also was approached by a sw's on my way back to my hotel around 6 am and they quoted 200 as well. I passed on both, I wouldn't pay 200 in America.

[Worthless Prik]

Thanks yall for the helpful advise.

[Fayce Paynter]

WP,

Went to Cancun a couple times within the last three years.

Stayed at the Omni. If you head down to the beach from there, turn left. When I went right, saw nothing, but to the left there were ladies laying in the sun with no tops all over the place.

Don't know if there's a specific topless beach, but there were plenty of bare titties in the sand.

Enjoy, but gotta also tell you, Cancun sucks for mongering.

FP

[Golow Golf]

In Mexico nude beaches are actually illegal, but the police in some places turn thier eye.

I can't tell you about Cancun, but in Playa del Carmen there are several areas that are either topless or nude. For topless, Mammitas is a good beach. All the Europeans go there. I was there a couple of days ago and the eye candy was great.

I hope you find what you are looking for!

Golow Golf

[Golow Golf]

Don't be to worried about the stuff you here about Cancun. Back in December it was a problem, but that was because the ex-mayor of the town had run off with all the money leaving the police and city workers without pay and Christmas bonus.

I was talking to a resturant owner the other day and they said they have not seen any problem in the last month. But all that said, you have to be smart about what your doing. If you just shine gringo, anywhere in Mexico you could get hammered. Just be respectful of the area and you should have no problem. I live outside of Cancun and go there every two weeks (in the hotel zone and the city proper) and never had a problem.

Have fun here in the Caribbean and know the water is perfect right now!

Golow Golf

[Worthless Prik]

I'm heading to Cancun in a couple of weeks, staying at one of them all inclusive resorts for the week of fun in the sun. Just wondering if they have nude beaches in Cancun, or am I out of luck?